Aldara 5% Cream
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Aldara (Imiquimod) 5% Cream for Genital Warts
Aldara 5% Cream is an imiquimod (immunomodulator)-containing topical medication that works as an immune response modifier (modifies the immune response).
Aldara Cream is prescribed for genital warts and external anal warts around the anus. It's effective for all types of warts, even those difficult to touch. These are caused by a virus (HPV) and can spread through skin-to-skin contact.
Imiquimod or Aldara cream also used for:
- Actinic keratosis: Also known as solar keratosis, are dry, scaly patches of sun-damaged skin, mainly affecting the face and scalp due to excessive sun exposure
- Basal cell carcinoma: A type of skin cancer that usually isn't serious if detected early.
How does Aldara cream work?
Imiquimod doesn't directly attack the problem itself. Instead, it triggers your immune system to recognize and fight off the abnormal cells or viruses causing the skin condition.
Aldara 5% Cream, with imiquimod, boosts our body's defenses against skin problems. It activates immune cells that signal for more defenders to target the issue: for warts, it fights the virus; for actinic keratosis, it removes abnormal cells; for basal cell carcinoma, it attacks cancer cells or helps eliminate tumors.
How effective is Aldara in treating genital warts?
Genital warts, caused by HPV or human papillomavirus, mainly spread through skin contact, like during sex. Aldara Cream boosts our body's defenses by triggering the production of chemicals (called cytokines) that stop the virus from spreading and reduce abnormal cell growth.
Imiquimod, the active ingredient in Aldara, signals our immune system to attack and kill viruses, preventing HPV from multiplying. When Aldara clears HPV types 6 & 11, genital warts should vanish, and they're less likely to come back.
How to use Aldara Cream to treat warts?
Each box contains 12 sachets, providing a 28-day (four-week) treatment to be used three times a week. The active ingredient is typically gentle on the skin, making it suitable for those with sensitive skin.
However, individuals with autoimmune disorders may need to consider alternative treatments.
You are recommended to use Aldara cream 3 times a week, skipping a day in between applications. Below is a step-by-step process on how to use Aldara cream
- Begin by cleaning your hands with soap and water
- Clean the area of treatment with soap and water
- Dry the area of treatment with a soft towel gently
- Pick the Aldara sachet and squeeze Aldara cream on your fingertip
- Apply a thin layer of the cream on the area of treatment
- Rub the cream gently on the area with warts
- Rub until all the cream is fully absorbed in the area of treatment
Avoid contact with the eyes, lips, and nostrils when using the cream. Remember to wash your hands before and after applying the cream to prevent any unintentional contact with sensitive areas.
You should allow the Aldara cream to stay in the area of treatment for 6 to 10 hours. After the first 6 hours, you can shower or take a bath.
If you are a man suffering from genital warts, underneath your foreskin, ensure to pull backward to wash the area of treatment every day comfortably.
Aldara alternatives
Genital warts can be treated using other alternative treatments. If Aldara 5% cream is not working for you you can choose other medications such as:
Warticon cream
Warticon Cream contains an active ingredient known as podophyllotoxin that kills the virus-causing genital warts. Warticon is highly effective, within 4 to 5 weeks the warts will fully disappear.
Warticon can be applied externally, however, you should not apply Wartcon around the anus or internally. You should apply Warticon 3 days a week after every 12 hours.
Warticon solution|Genital warts treatment
Warticon Solution | Genital Warts Treatment is a topical treatment that kills virus-causing genital warts. Warticon solution is effective for men to treat their genital warts.
Condyline
Condyline is a topical cutaneous solution that contains podophyllotoxin as its active ingredient. Condyline works by getting into the cells of the affected area and dividing gentle warts cells.
Dividing the cells enhances healthy skin that replaces the genital warts. To get the effectiveness of Condyline treatment, use it at the early stages of genital warts. Condyline works effectively on small sizes of genital warts.
Author Bio
| Name | Mr Suhail Jamil |
| Role | Superintendent Pharmacist |
| Gphc Number | 2069518 |
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Frequently asked questions
The duration of time depends on the individual. To some warts can clear within 8 weeks while to others it clears within 12 weeks.
You can find new warts while still using Aldara cream. It is recommended that you use protective measures to avoid spreading the disease to other people.
You can buy Aldara cream in the UK through our UK registered online pharmacy. All you need is to visit Ashcroft Pharmacy and, fill in an assessment test that helps our pharmacist verify the right treatment for your condition.
You should use Aldara cream continuously until the warts are over. Ensure to complete your entire dose as recommended by your pharmacist.
No, you can't buy Aldara cream over the counter. Aldara is sold as a prescription treatment, whereby the doctor assesses your condition and prescribes the right dose for you.
You should not use Aldara cream over 16 weeks. If the treatment is not working for you after 16 weeks, inform your doctor so that you can get an Aldara alternative treatment.
Aldara cream can weaken condoms and diaphragms. You are recommended to clean off the cream before using contraceptives.
Aldara cream works by activating your body’s defense system to remove HPV responsible for causing genital warts.
Wait until the next night to apply it and continue with regular scheduled doses.
Discard any medication that has been frozen.
Do not flush medications down the toilet unless instructed to do so.
Apply imiquimod three times a week for four weeks or as directed by your doctor for genital/anal warts.
Genital warts can go away naturally: Without treatment, about 20-30% of people with genital warts see them disappear within 6 months.
Most clear within 2 years: Around 75-80% of people with HPV will clear the infection within 18-24 months, leading to the disappearance of warts.
Treatment can help: Using Aldara cream or other treatments can speed up the clearance of genital warts compared to waiting for them to resolve on their own.
Genital warts typically appear as small, flesh-colored bumps or growths in the genital or anal area. They can vary in size and may have a cauliflower-like or smooth surface.
In some cases, they may cluster together to form larger warts. These warts can cause itching, discomfort, or bleeding, especially during sexual activity.
If you experience any unusual bumps or growths in the genital or anal area, it's need to see a dermatologist for evaluation and diagnosis.
Normally, over 90% of the time, warts clear up on their own with time, but treatment can help speed up the process. Common treatments include Condyline solution, Warticon cream, and Aldara cream, which contain ingredients to destroy wart cells.
Alternatively, cryotherapy or freezing, performed by a healthcare professional usually once a week for four weeks, is another option.
It's important to note that wart treatment efficacy varies, and not all treatments may work for everyone."
Genital warts might be mistaken for various conditions, including skin tags, sores, or ulcers. The NHS page referenced provides additional information on conditions that could be confused with genital warts. For more details on other sexual health issues, you can also check out the NHS page mentioned.
Genital warts or treated areas shouldn't be covered with dressings or bandages during treatment. Each sachet contains enough cream for a wart area of about 20 cm2 (approximately 3 square inches).
After one application, including any leftover cream, the sachet should be discarded. Use a new sachet for each day of treatment.